1 of the most important figures in wrestling history, he embodied the term “fighting spirit.” RIP WWE Hall of Famer Antonio Inoki

[basquebromance]

This photo hits hard. It's Yuji Nagata honoring Inoki at a AJPW show

 

[basquebromance]

Inoki converted to Shia Islam in 1990 during a pilgrimage to Karbala, the Shiite holy city in Iraq. He was in Iraq successfully negotiating for the release of several Japanese hostages

 

[basquebromance]

 

[basquebromance]

 

[basquebromance]

 

[basquebromance]

 

[katsteve2012]

A little known fact is that one of Alis legs was so badly damaged from Inokis kicks, that doctors considered amputation.

 

[basquebromance]

 

[basquebromance]

when Inoki was 5, his father, a local politician, died, so Inoki started to assert his dominance

Inoki met Ricky Dozan when he was 17, Dozan felt he was something special so he took Inoki under his wing

in 1963, Dozan was murdered

 

[basquebromance]

Antonio Inoki was extremely popular in Pakistan. In 1976, Inoki was challenged by Pakistani wrestler Akram aka “Akki” and 50,000 spectators showed up at the National Stadium Karachi to watch the match.

 

[basquebromance]

Inoki was the only one who ever scared Ali, he spoke casually about breaking Ali's arm or a bone or a muscle

He did bruise Ali's beautiful legs

 

[basquebromance]

40 years ago, Antonio Inoki maybe possibly almost wrestled against Idi Amin...how about Hulk Hogan V Robert Mugabe 30 years ago?

 

[basquebromance]

As a representative of the "Sports and Peace" party, Inoki managed to negotiate with Saddam Hussain for the release of 36 Japanese hostages in 1990. In 1995 he helped organize and headlined a "for peace" wrestling event in North Korea which drew over 200,000 fans to the arena.

 

[basquebromance]

Hogan invented a story that he once almost killed Inoki in the ring, but he was revived by CPR, and that the Japanese Mafia wanted to kill Hogan in retaliation. not even close to the truth

 

[lg325]

Hogan was good on the mic but his in ring skills lacked a lot. I doubt if he could take care of himself in a real fight.

 

[lantern2814]

Whether you agreed with Inoki’s decisions as a businessman/booker for New Japan (and that’s a whole different discussion), there’s no doubt he was THE influence on Japanese wrestling for the last several decades.

 

[basquebromance]

 

[basquebromance]